Ex-Shakhtar Donetsk boss suggests Fred to Manchester City deal is still on

Former Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu believes his former club’s star midfielder Fred will still end up at Manchester City, despite no deal being done in January.

The 24-year-old Brazilian was heavily tipped to join City last month, even if it meant returning to the Ukrainian giants on loan for the rest of the season, but City switched their immediate attention to trying to sign Riyad Mahrez, postpining any deal for Fred.

With suggestions that Manchester United will enter the fray for the all-action midfielder, there has been some doubt as to whether he will link up with Pep Guardiola after all.

Lucescu believes he is still Etihad-bound though, and the deal could be done in the summer transfer window.

“He will go to City like Fernandinho before him,” Lucescu is quoted as saying.

“Shakhtar Donetsk’s best player is Fred in the centre of midfield. He was a bit anarchic on the left. I moved him in front of the defence.”

According to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Italia, City held talks with Shakhtar in January, with a fee of between €30million and €40million being mooted.

City may have to cough up a little more if Fred continues to impress, but seems to be the chosen one to replace the outgoing Yaya Touré this summer.